MAKE: Bee hotel for your garden

The latest in accommodation is a DIY number with great garden views and a natural breeze!

Bee hotels are popping up around gardens everywhere as a respite for the working bees doing their daily duties. Bees like the natural spaces to rest and breed. And with a few found items from nature and a very non-natural power tool you can make one yourself!

You'll need...

A little house from a wooden crate, large tin or barrel
Variety of thick branches
Bamboo 
Bits of bark, pine cones or natural pods
Drill with a variety of large drill bits or speed bore
Rope to hang
 

How to...

1. Cut the branches and bamboo to the length of the depth of your house. Cut as many as will fit into the space so its tightly fitted and won't move.
2. Take them out again and use the various drill bits to bore into the end of the branches to create a little cave, about 15cm deep.
3. Pop them back into the house (and do the hokey pokey!)
4. Add some bark into gaps, pinecones and other pods.
5. Attach some string to the gaps in the house and hang or stand in a sunny spot in the garden near the flowers they like to work in.

This little bee hotel was inspired by our new Autumn/Winter Bee print, available in Legionnaire, Toddler Bucket and Classic Bucket. Shop Bee here.